Chevak Highway War

The Chevak Highway War was a war between the Chevak Highway Rebels and the military-controlled government of Bethel in late 3 NE and early 4 NE.

Background
The war was started when Esfir Bonner seized control of Bethel in a military coup, overthrowing Reggie T. Farmer, a resident of Hooper Bay, at the Grand Opening of the Chevak Highway. Hooper Bay and Chevak quickly organized extra militia forces, while Bonner strengthened her grip on the city of Bethel.

First Battle of the Chevak Highway
On December 24, 3 NE, north of Bethel, the patrolling D Company (Rangers) of the Bethel Battalion was ambushed by the Chevak Highway Rebels, resulting in a massacre. Captain Bradley Parker of the Ranger Company was cut down leading a platoon south. The militia left no survivors, and lost 58 men.

Second Battle of the Chevak Highway
After hearing of the massacre, Esfir Bonner immediately deployed the remainder of the battalion north, to hunt the militia on the road. After 2 days of searching, they finally discovered a militia encampment and engaged. The militia, however, were dug in along the road, and the attackers were thrown back with 319 casualties, while the militia took 174.

Battle of Bethel
Despite a pair of victories along the Chevak Highway, the rebels were nearly at half strength and facing a trained enemy defending familiar ground. An assault on the city would likely be disastrous for the militia forces. Still, they needed to prevent Governor Bonner from impressing civilians into militia service to win the war. With the cover of snow and darkness on Dec 31, a small group of militiamen entered the city and rescued the Council of Elders from prison. The following morning, New Year's Day, the Elders spoke out within the city against Bonner's regime and, for the first time in the history of the Council, endorsed violence in order to overthrow her. In response, the Headquarters company of the Bethel Battalion shut down the public demonstration and executed all of the Elders in the street. This resulted in a riot in which the headquarters troops became embroiled. Meanwhile, the Rebels launched an assault on the remaining Infantry Company, taking 144 casualties and inflicting 100. This was enough to shatter the remaining troops, who surrendered.

Aftermath
As the militia and rioters marched on the Capitol, Esfir Bonner committed suicide. The Chevak Highway Rebels call for new elections, resulting in the choice of Tyler D. Hermann, a prominent resident of Bethel. Hermann appoints CHR militia leader Thomas Anderson as Lieutenant Governor to help with the rebuilding process. Overall, 376 men of the CHR were killed, along with 569 Bethel troops and 26 civilians killed in the riots (including the Council of Elders).